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Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (25-1066)

Laboratory

Laboratory for Dynamic Biomolecule Design,
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
(Team Director: Ai Niitsu)

Outline of Laboratory

The Laboratory for Dynamic Biomolecule Design is recruiting a research employee to carry out our research theme. The research overview of the laboratory is shown below.

To understand the functions of biomolecules, it is crucial to grasp their structural dynamics. We aim to develop methods for designing biomolecules, such as membrane proteins and peptides, with controllable conformational dynamics through a combination of protein design and molecular simulation techniques. Our primary objective is to uncover the mechanisms governing biomolecular functions through experimental characterization of the designed molecules. By incorporating a chemical perspective, we also aim to expand the application of our designed biomolecules as tools for perturbing cell dynamics, imaging cells and tissues, sensing the environment, and drug design, which is useful in life science and medical research.

For more information, please refer to the following link:
Laboratory for Dynamic Biomolecule Design

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: 1 position

Job description

We are seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher who will work on our research on the development of biomolecular design methods and/or functional and structural analysis of designed biomolecules.
The successful candidate will primarily focus on membrane proteins and peptides, and will be involved in biomolecular design work, including computational protein design, molecular simulations, expression and purification of recombinant proteins, biophysics, functional exploration through chemical modification of proteins and peptides, and high-resolution structural analysis.

The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

The difference in positions is as follows:

Research Scientist
Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship and training of supervisors.

Qualification

Common to all positions

A person who is able to dedicate themselves to the job by communicating, coordinating and collaborating smoothly with people in and out of the laboratory.
Research experience in any of the following is desirable. Theoretical/computational scientists are also welcome.

  • -Computational protein design
  • -Structural modelling of biomolecules
  • -Molecular dynamics simulations
  • -Expression and purification of recombinant proteins
  • -Structural and functional analysis of proteins using imaging and biophysical experiments.
  • -High-resolution structural analysis of biomolecules (X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, NMR)
  • -Reconstitution of membrane protein in lipid bilayers.

Research Scientist

A doctoral degree awarded at least 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].

Postdoctoral Researcher

A doctoral degree awarded less than 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].

Work location

Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, RIKEN Yokohama Campus
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

  • 1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to December 31, 2030. For Postdoctoral Researcher, a one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 3 years of employment.
  • 2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, workload at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.

In principle, the first two months of employment are considered a trial period.

Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations. Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.
The approximate amount of monthly salary at the time of employment:

Research Scientist
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 431,000 JPY or more.
For a candidate who finished their PhD approximately 5 years ago and has the appropriate experience, skills and track record, the monthly pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 510,000 JPY/month.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 367,000 JPY or more.
For a candidate who joins RIKEN immediately after finishing their PhD, the monthly pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 400,000 JPY.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.

This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (caring for a sick child, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment).
There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

  • *Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi)
  • *The Yokohama Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Yokohama. For details, please send an email at kids-yk-hr@ml.riken.jp
  • *RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity, and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.

Application and required documents

Required documents

Prepare the documents below as PDF files and follow the instructions in [How to Apply] to submit them. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • 1.Complete CV or CV with email address (Also indicate the desired position (e.g., Research Scientist) and the open call ID [25-1066] in the upper right corner of the CV.)
    • *Using the RIKEN format above is appreciated.
  • 2.List of research achievement and publications (articles, reviews and books), presentations, etc. in the past 5 years (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
  • 3.Brief description of previous research and achievements, and future research plans (maximum of two A4-size pages).
  • 4.One recommendation letter from the current supervisor, if available.
    • Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
    • The signature (or seal) of the person providing the recommendation is required.
    • The letter of recommendation should be addressed to the “Director of the Center for Integrative Medical Sciences.”
      (If it is not possible to provide a letter from the current supervisor, please have a third party write one regarding your current position)
  • 5.Diploma for the PhD degree (photocopy acceptable)
  • 6.List of competitive external funds obtained (e.g., Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research [Kakenhi]; indicate whether you are the representative researcher or the collaborator)
  • 7.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
    • *If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, you are required to submit the document, " Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)" with your signature.

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters should be converted to PDF and uploaded to the following link after these files are combined into a single ZIP file:

RIKEN/IMS DBD Application Box

  • -Zip file name: 25-1066_desired position_Name
  • -The file name of each PDF file: 25-1066_desired position_Name_submitted document No.
  • -When uploading the application documents by a ZIP file via BOX, please make sure to input your contact email address.
  • -After uploading the ZIP file, please let us (dbd-recruit@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

*Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Recommendation letter(s) by PDF must be directly submitted from the referee(s) to the following link.

RIKEN/IMS DBD Application Box

  • -The file name of the recommendation letter: 25-1066_applicant’s name_recommendation letter
  • -Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.
  • -The recommendation letter should be addressed to “Director of the Center for Integrative Medical Sciences”.
  • -When uploading the PDF letter, please make sure to input your contact email address.
  • -After uploading the letter, please contact at dbd-recruit@ml.riken.jp to inform the file name of the uploaded file.
    If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: dbd-recruit@ml.riken.jp.

    • Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

    Deadline

    Until the position is filled.

    Handling Personal Data

    Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening at RIKEN. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

    Selection process

    Selection will be made based on application screening and interview. (face-to-face or remote interview)
    After documents screening, only successful applicants will be invited for interview.

    *We do not answer to questions regarding contents of the examination.

    Notification of hiring decision

    The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

    Start of Employment

    Earliest date possible (negotiable)

    Contact Information

    For inquiries on this open position, please send an email.
    Laboratory for Dynamic Biomolecule Design
    RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (Yokohama Campus)
    dbd-recruit@ml.riken.jp

    *If you have any research-related questions, please send an email.
    Laboratory for Dynamic Biomolecule Design
    Team Director: Ai Niitsu
    Email: ai.niitsu@riken.jp

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